ZAGREB, March 18, 2020 - Croatian National Bank (HNB) governor Boris Vujčić informed the government on Tuesday that the country possessed very high foreign currency reserves and that system liquidity was more than sufficient to ensure the cash flow for businesses.

Presenting the central bank's measures designed to mitigate the economic consequences of the crisis caused by the outbreak of COVID-19, Vujčić said that he expected a sharp but short contraction of economic activity, primarily as a result of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

There are forecasts that this situation will be relatively short, lasting three, six or eight months. Of course, the shorter the crisis, the lesser the impact on the economy, the HNB governor said.

Vujčić said that the HNB had prepared three groups of monetary policy measures.

One refers to the stabilisation of the kuna exchange rate and to ensuring foreign currency liquidity. In this context, Vujčić recalled that in the last four interventions, the central bank sold €1.63 billion to commercial banks so as to stabilise the kuna exchange rate at 7.57 per euro.

Foreign currency reserves stand at €19 billion.

The second set of measures focuses on making sure that there is enough kuna liquidity and therefore the central bank has conducted structural and repo operations. On Monday, 750 million kuna was injected into the banking system as a short-term measure, plus 3.8 billion kuna as a long-term measure for a period of five years and at an interest rate of 0.25%.

The third group of measures refers to support to the stability of the state securities market through the purchase of government bonds.

If Croatia were a member of the euro area, some of these measures would not have to be implemented, said Vujčić.

We would also have access to the European system of monetary stability, where €500 billion is available, he said.

More coronavirus news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, March 18, 2020 - Croatia's EU presidency has proposed that a decision be made next week to launch accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, and that the first intergovernmental accession conference be called immediately after a negotiating framework is adopted.

Draft conclusions that were made available to Hina and that the General Affairs Council is expected to adopt at its next meeting on March 24 propose that a decision be made to launch membership talks with both countries.

Talks on the draft conclusions will first be held at the level of member-countries' ambassadors before the document is discussed by European affairs ministers.

The text of the conclusions must be unanimously supported by all member-countries, which is why changes to the proposed draft are possible before its adoption.

This decision, if adopted by the Council of Ministers, should also be supported by the European Council, that is, heads of state or government, at a summit meeting on March 26-27.

Under the draft conclusions, the Council is to invite the European Commission to present a draft negotiating framework for both countries as soon as possible and by June at the latest.

The negotiating framework is a key document that defines how and based on which principles accession talks will be conducted.

The negotiating framework needs to be adopted unanimously by all member-countries and it is a precondition for calling the first intergovernmental accession conference, at which talks are formally launched.

Work on harmonising the text of the negotiating framework can take time.

According to the draft conclusions, the first intergovernmental conference should be called as soon as possible after the negotiating framework is adopted.

Officials at Croatia's Permanent Representation to the EU would not comment on the draft document, saying only that despite the current crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, they work intensively on other portfolios as well, such as enlargement, which is one of the priorities of Croatia's EU presidency.

More news about Croatia and the EU can be found in the Politics section.

ZAGREB, March 18, 2020 - The Croatian and Austrian foreign ministries have coordinated the return of 17 Croatian nationals from Marrakesh in Morocco to Vienna, the Croatian ministry said in a press release on Tuesday.

Problems with the repatriation of the Croatian nationals were primarily due to the suspension of flights caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Croatian nationals are expected to arrive in Vienna late on Tuesday evening, the Croatian ministry said.

According to current estimates, there are around 30,0000 EU citizens in Morocco.

For all of them, the Croatian Embassy in Morocco, which represents the country currently chairing the Council of the EU, continues to coordinate joint activities of member-countries regarding their repatriation, in cooperation with EU member-countries and the EU Delegation in Rabat, and it continues to provide all diplomatic support.

The embassy also continues to provide round-the-clock consular and other assistance to Croatian nationals in Morocco, the ministry said, thanking Austrian authorities for enabling the return of Croatian nationals to Europe.

More coronavirus news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

March 18, 2020 – Croatia Health Minister Vili Beros reported that 12 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have been confirmed. The total number of cases in Croatia is 81. Details to follow later today. Five patients have recovered.

At 9:00 CET the National Civil Protection Headquarters held a press conference and provided an update the coronavirus in Croatia as reported by Index. Among them are eight doctors from Zagreb, some of whom had recently been skiing in Austria and became infected. Five people have recovered.

Locations of New Croatia Cases Later Today

Minister Beros announced that more than 1,100 tests have been done. The situation is getting worse all over Europe, Beros said. For now, the HQ does not have information on which cities the newly infected are located.

Today, according to government announcements, stricter measures are being introduced and many facilities, cafes, cinemas, theaters, gyms are closing ...

Measures Limiting Movement of Elderly

Minister Davor Bozinovic announced yesterday that the additional measures would apply to the elderly, and it was clear that they would go about limiting their movement almost completely. He also announced the intensification of self-isolation control.

"When it comes to doctors, we are well organized spatially and temporally," Minister Beros said. "For all those who have other problems but are not suspected to have the coronavirus, other health care facilities will provide adequate assistance. Treating chronic conditions is not in question. I want to thank the private sector for being sensitive to this issue," Minister Beros said.

"Mental health professionals are available from 0-24. The ministry is rolling out a wide range of activities and we are doing everything we can to keep the situation under control," concluded Beros.

Markotic: Patients Have Mild Symptoms, No Respirators Needed

Alemka Markotic said that all patients have still mild symptoms and that there aren’t any patients with more severe conditions. "Our doctors who had been in contact with an infected doctor have tested negative," she said.

Minister Beros added that none of the infected people have needed a respirator. "It is certain that this will happen, and that some of the patients will have a more difficult clinical picture. It is very necessary for the older population to be mindful of these measures and the most important thing is to protect them," Beros added.

Capak: Call 113 Instead of 112 Regarding Coronavirus

Krunoslav Capak reminded everyone to call number 113 regarding coronavirus concerns.

“For everything coronavirus-related, please feel free to call with any questions. Eight doctors have been infected. The epidemiological situation is under control," Capak said.

"We are preparing instructions on how hospitals should behave. We will give additional power to the commissions for strict control of transitions from one ward to another, as well as for closing off areas if necessary," he said.

The staff urged the elderly to stay home. "The Red Cross will coordinate deliveries for older people," their representative explained.

"The Red Cross will assist everyone in need with the distribution of food. We are assisting people by a range of activities, both through equipment and logistics. Contact information can be accessed here. It is very important that the headquarters exempt blood donation from the ban on assembly," he emphasized.

Discussion Today on Closing Public Facilities

“Today, we will specifically discuss the closure of facilities. I would not speak about measures to close cafes yet. Today a law is under review which will give additional power to the National Civil Protection Headquarters so we can implement the necessary measures throughout Croatia," Capak said.

Beros also commented on how many people will be infected. According to the table provided by Beroš, it is expected that of the estimated 5 percent to be infected in Croatia, 140 of them will fall into the group of severely ill, while 80 percent (2261) will be in the group of mildly ill. Fifteen percent of the population, which is 425, would fall within the category of medium-severe symptoms. In Croatia, 2,826 people are expected to become infected during the coronavirus epidemic.

"That's an earlier estimate," Beros explained. When asked if new estimates for the infected were higher, he said "not significantly."

Seniors: Stay Home, Delivery Help Available

The Red Cross has issued instructions for seniors to share via email and to publish on their website. More information here.

"The approach is simple, that there will be direct contact between the delivery person and the elderly, that the contact is short, and that everyone will regularly wash their hands," it was noted. "We are open to anyone who wants to help. It's just important that you do it safely."

132 People Have Violated Self-Isolation

In 132 cases, citizens were caught violating a measure of self-isolation.

"Police and sanitary inspection are doing their job well regarding enforcement of self-isolation orders. We have received 779 reports and 132 people have been caught not complying with these measures,” Capak said.

Follow our dedicated page on the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Croatia and watch for our daily update at 14:00 CET. The Croatian Government has also launched a website for information on the coronavirus (with map of cases) here.

March 18, 2020 - In an effort to coordinate information about the coronavirus crisis, the Croatian Government has launched a dedicated website, Koronavirus.hr.

A great and very timely resource has been launched by the Croatian Government in these times of great COVID-19 uncertainty a dedicated website about all relevant issues related to the crisis - you can visit Koronavirus.hr here. 

The website, which is only in Croatian (but Google Translate is your friend) has the following features:

• A map of the current state of affairs with the virus - cases, deaths (none so far) and recoveries by location in Croatia, as well as details in neighbouring countries, plus the epicentre of the virus in Europe, Italy. TCN was the first website to launch a corona map of Croatia 9 days ago, and we are delighted that there is now an official map, which we will be using from now on in our daily updates. 
• What you need to know - sections on the illness, prevention, travel, school and going to work.
• The latest developments.
• Information on government measures taken.
• FAQs, coronavirus myths and realities, and the chronology of the development of an epidemic.
• Important contact numbers. 

It looks like a great resource, easy to use, and one which should be an important reference point for people looking for the latest official information about the coronavirus situation in Croatia. 

TCN will endeavour to make parts of the site available in English, as our limited resources allow. 

Visit Koronavirus.hr here. 

And for the very latest coverage on TCN, follow the dedicated coronavirus section here. 

ZAGREB, March 17, 2020 - Croatian President Zoran Milanović submitted to the Conflict of Interest Commission his Declaration of Assets, which shows that he is the co-owner of two flats and two holiday houses and that in addition to a garage, some agricultural land, and a meadow, he also has a saving of HRK 850,000.

In the Declaration of Assets, which he submitted four days ago, President Milanović says his monthly salary is HRK 25,000, while his wife Sanja Musić Milanović, an employee of the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ), monthly earns HRK 14,000. In addition to that, the president's wife receives an additional HRK 6,800 from teaching.

Milanović and his wife own a 127-square-metre flat in Zagreb, appraised at nearly HRK 2 million, and Milanović is a co-owner of an inherited 77-square-metre flat, worth HRK 1.2 million, with his share being about 17%.

He also owns 17% of two holiday houses in Soline, a garage in Zagreb, two plots of agricultural land (in Soline and Glavice), and a meadow.

President's financial obligations include a loan of HRK 700,000, with a monthly payment of HRK 4,500 over 30 years. He is also repaying a car lease of HRK 80,000 for a Ford Focus, with a lease payment of HRK 1,300 per month.

Milanović has a saving of HRK 850,000, and he transferred the rights to the consulting company EuroAlba Advisor, which he had wholly owned, to a natural person.

The media have already written how that company had a profit of HRK 745,000 the year before last, and that its net profit was HRK 553,000.

More news about Zoran Milanović can be found in the Politics section.

ZAGREB, March 17, 2020 - The Council for INA on Tuesday accepted a report by its investment consultant on the course of due diligence in the Croatian oil company, defining the course of further activities for the possible purchase of INA shares held by the Hungarian oil and gas group MOL.

An analysis by the investment consultant on company's operations and value is expected in the second quarter, the government said in a statement.

The INA Council, an advisory body tasked with providing guidelines, taking action and putting forward proposals to the government regarding preparations for, implementation and financing of the possible purchase of MOL's stake in the company, held its 11th meeting today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

Representatives of the Lazard investment consultant and other professional consultants submitted a report to the Council on the course of due diligence in INA via video link.

"The Council accepted the report and determined the course of further activities in the process of the possible purchase of MOL's interest in the company, as part of which an analysis by the investment consultant of the company's operations and value can be expected in the second quarter of this year," said the government.

More INA news can be found in the Business section.

ZAGREB, March 17, 2020 - In order to prevent the spreading of the novel coronavirus, the Croatian parliament will organise its plenary sessions in line with the national civil protection authority's recommendations on minimum personal distance, sources at the parliament said on Tuesday without specifying details.

Unofficial sources, however, say that a new seating arrangement has been defined for Wednesday, when the parliament will reconvene.

To make sure that there is room in the parliament chamber for each of the 151 members of parliament and that they sit at the prescribed distance from one another, they will sit in every other bench, at seats that are usually occupied by government members and at side seats and seats in all three galleries.

MPs will be given a precise seating order on Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday the parliament will vote on a proposal to add a government-sponsored set of bills to the session's agenda on assistance to the economic sector and amendments to the Civil Protection Act.

Since all deputies will not be physically able to vote electronically due to the new seating order, electronic voting will be combined with voting by a show of hands.

The parliament has already given instructions to media outlets regarding reporters' presence in the parliament building and internal protocols are being made to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus.

More coronavirus news can be found in the Lifestyle section.